Travel alert: Do not go to Haiti for any motive, US urges

Do not journey to Haiti for any motive.

That’s the message federal officers proceed to inform vacationers who need to go to the once-popular Caribbean vacation spot. In its latest travel update, the State Department reiterated security issues associated to the island and added a brand new warning about terrorism.

Haiti is below a Level 4: Do Not Travel warning, probably the most critical alert issued by the State Department. Haiti is the one Caribbean island below a Level 4 journey advisory.

Kidnapping, civil unrest, organized crime and sexual assault had been cited in earlier warnings concerning the island. The newest alert, issued July 15, added further warnings about rising issues about terrorism on the island.

“There is a risk of terrorist violence, including attacks and other violent gang activity in Haiti,” the State Department stated. “There are gangs that are designated as terrorist organizations present in Haiti.”

Adding to the issues are issues over the restricted means of emergency personnel to answer violent crime.

“Local police and first responders often do not have enough resources. This limits their ability to respond to emergencies or serious crime,” the alert stated. “Shortages of gasoline, electricity, medicine, and medical supplies are common throughout the country. Public and private clinics, as well as hospitals, have untrained staff and lack basic resources. Medical providers almost always require upfront payment in cash.”

The State Department ordered nonemergency personnel to go away the nation in July 2023. Haiti has been below a State of Emergency since March 2024 as violent gangs took over elements of the nation, together with the capital of Port-au-Prince. The U.S. is not permitting business flights into the capital and Royal Caribbean Cruise Line, which operates its personal non-public resort in Labadee, Haiti, has suspended its stops.

Haiti joins nations akin to Libya, Iran, Lebanon, Somalia, North Korea and Russia on the Do Not Travel List. Level 3 and 4 advisories are sometimes up to date each six months, or as situations change.